Truck Tire Pressure towing HT 26.5

[mybrown29]

We tow a 2011 Jayco Superlite HT 26.5 Fifth Wheel with a 2007 Toyota Tundra SR5 double cab 5.7 V8. We just purchased new truck tires Michelin LTX A/T2, 275 65/R18 tires load range E 10 ply tires. We can't get an answer from Michelin or Toyota on the correct tire pressure when towing. I'm thinking to inflate the maximum listed on the sidewall of the truck 80 psi in back and less in front. Anyone have thoughts on this?

[Sundancer330]

I always inflate tires to the maximum listed on the sidewall, this is how the tire is designed to run, helps keep heat to a minimum. I would never run the fronts lower than the rears, could cause handling problems.

[cariboocreek]

Originally Posted by Sundancer330

I always inflate tires to the maximum listed on the sidewall, this is how the tire is designed to run, helps keep heat to a minimum. I would never run the fronts lower than the rears, could cause handling problems.

This....

[norty1]

I always use the pressures listed on the drivers door jamb sticker. Never failed me yet.

If you upgrade to a new lr and the old tires were at max, I would run the new ones at their max pressure.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Sundancer330

I always inflate tires to the maximum listed on the sidewall, this is how the tire is designed to run, helps keep heat to a minimum. I would never run the fronts lower than the rears, could cause handling problems.

X2 But I run the TV fronts 5 to 10psi lower. In my truck (diesel, 4wd, crew cab, long bed) the handling is better that way (less 'twitchy') and the ride a bit less harsh. YMMV.

Higher tire pressure means less side wall flexing. So in addition to lower heat, lower sidewall flex (like you get with higher load range tires) also helps reduce sway tendencies.

[Camper_bob]

My truck door placard stipulates the rears at 80 PSI (sidewall max) and fronts at 65 PSI. Rear carries more load, stands to reason they should be at max. No handling problems running them this way.

Michelin will have an inflation/load chart for your tire. The inflation will be based on the expected load to be carried by the tire.

That being said, I would run tires under large loads at max pressure, and less for tires under lighter loads (for increased comfort).

[jal0710]

My door placard also says the rear tires should be run at 80 and the front at 65. I have had no handling problems with this set-up, whether loaded or un-loaded.

[dalengail]

I inflate to what the tire manufacturer calls for on the side wall. I just got my truck serviced at my GMC dealer and, once again, they adjusted the tire pressure lower to what is on the door pillar. The service manager and I will have a serious discussion the next service!!

[motorbreath]

It is a bit tricky running LTs on a 1500, but I would not tow without them...tire manufacturers should publish a load inflation table so you can calculate the correct pressure. I am relatively sure that if your truck was spec'd with P-rated tires, you should run a higher pressure when switching to LTs.

I found this document from Toyo super-useful:

http://www.toyotires.ca/sites/defaul...ationtable.pdf

see page 71, "P-Metric to LT-Metric". It gives an example with a F150 spec'd with P-rated tires at 35psi, for the same load capacity for an LT-metric it states you should inflate to 45psi. My dealer gave me the same number, you can option Silverado and Sierra 1500's with LT-rated tires and the door sticker says 45psi (from what they tell me).

Originally Posted by mybrown29

We tow a 2011 Jayco Superlite HT 26.5 Fifth Wheel with a 2007 Toyota Tundra SR5 double cab 5.7 V8. We just purchased new truck tires Michelin LTX A/T2, 275 65/R18 tires load range E 10 ply tires. We can't get an answer from Michelin or Toyota on the correct tire pressure when towing. I'm thinking to inflate the maximum listed on the sidewall of the truck 80 psi in back and less in front. Anyone have thoughts on this?

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by dalengail

I inflate to what the tire manufacturer calls for on the side wall. I just got my truck serviced at my GMC dealer and, once again, they adjusted the tire pressure lower to what is on the door pillar. The service manager and I will have a serious discussion the next service!!

If the tires on the truck match the sticker, the service dept is not wrong. Those stickers are based on the load the tire is carrying and should be figured using the aforementioned manufacturer's load/inflation chart. Technically, all tires should be inflated based on that chart. Many of us like to have our tires at the max sidewall pressure for various reasons, but like I said, this isn't technically right.

Now, if you asked the shop to inflate your tires to max sidewall pressure, and they didn't, that might be different. Or if you have different tires than the spec listed on the sticker in your door jamb, that would also be different. But for MOST users, the recommended pressure on the load/inflation sticker of the vehicle is perfectly adequate, and I think you would be challenged to find a shop that will arbitrarily inflate tires to the max sidewall pressure; they're always going to go with the manuf. suggested pressure.

[norty1]

One of my pet peeves is dealers not adjusting tire pressure correctly. It was so bad that I checked them myself before leaving the dealer after service.

I say WAS because after the last screw up, leaving the oil pan drain plug hand tight, got me a new place for service.

[1wayhighway]

I run mine at 60 PSI when towing and 40 when not, mainly because I am no where near what the tire can do as far as weight. Because I am in a F150 I am not even sure the wheels can handle 80 PSI. I put the E rated tires on truck to get rid of the sidewall flex and improve stability. Been through the Tennesse hills, Blackhills and Yellowstone and very glad I upgraded my tires.

I have around 40,000 on them and have very even wear on the tread.

[Paintinfool3]

when I put new ones on my truck they set pressure at 65 all the way around... sidewall says 80 max cold ... thinking of rolling resistance I inflated to 80 but the ride was much rougher empty. Readjusted to 60 and ride got much better so I will leave them at 60 unless towing

[namusmc65]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

My truck door placard stipulates the rears at 80 PSI (sidewall max) and fronts at 65 PSI. Rear carries more load, stands to reason they should be at max. No handling problems running them this way.

Michelin will have an inflation/load chart for your tire. The inflation will be based on the expected load to be carried by the tire.

That being said, I would run tires under large loads at max pressure, and less for tires under lighter loads (for increased comfort).

x2 That is exactly what my tire store recommends as well. I also get mine rotated and balanced every 5,000 miles and the air pressure is changed from front to rear. Never had a problem and much better ride than all four maxed out.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by namusmc65

snip... I also get mine rotated and balanced every 5,000 miles and the air pressure is changed from front to rear. ...snip

X2

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by namusmc65

x2 That is exactly what my tire store recommends as well. I also get mine rotated and balanced every 5,000 miles and the air pressure is changed from front to rear. Never had a problem and much better ride than all four maxed out.

I rotate and adjust pressure every time I change the oil. Still haven't had them balanced, but I think I need to.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

I rotate and adjust pressure every time I change the oil. Still haven't had them balanced, but I think I need to.

X2 on the 5,000 mi oil change and rotation, but I'm beyond the age where doing that myself is enjoyable.

Discount Tire SOP is to balance tires at every rotation. They said balancing during the rotation prevents complaints (ie my tires were't out of balance until you rotated them, etc.). I don't see the harm, never had a tire balance issue, get excellent tire life, and I like the price... FREE!

I'm not sure if they'll do free balancing of my trailer tires, too, but I'll find that out in a few weeks from now.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

X2 on the 5,000 mi oil change and rotation, but I'm beyond the age where doing that myself is enjoyable.

Discount Tire SOP is to balance tires at every rotation. They said balancing during the rotation prevents complaints (ie my tires were't out of balance until you rotated them, etc.). I don't see the harm, never had a tire balance issue, get excellent tire life, and I like the price... FREE!

I'm not sure if they'll do free balancing of my trailer tires, too, but I'll find that out in a few weeks from now.

Yeah, you definitely can't beat FREE!! I live out in the sticks though. My nearest Discount Tire is a 20 minute drive, and it's ALWAYS super busy. 40 minutes commute, 30 minutes or more to wait and get the service. Takes me about 10 minutes to rotate myself (I do it while the oil drains). But then there's that pesky balancing thing; can't do that myself...

I have a decent tire shop here in town I used for my trailer tires. I think I'll give them a try on the next round. They do alignments too, so I'll probably have them check that as well...

[namusmc65]

quote "Yeah, you definitely can't beat FREE!! I live out in the sticks though. My nearest Discount Tire is a 20 minute drive, and it's ALWAYS super busy. 40 minutes commute, 30 minutes or more to wait and get the service. Takes me about 10 minutes to rotate myself (I do it while the oil drains). But then there's that pesky balancing thing; can't do that myself..."
I have a 30 minute drive. However, they work by appointment so I just call ahead and make an appointment. We live in a one red light county so we make a day of it and plan shopping and dinner out! Joys of living in the sticks. If you bought your trailer tires there, they would also probably do them for free. I change oil in my diesel every 5,000 miles so just schedule the tire rotation and balancing around the same time.